Negotiations between the Portland Trail Blazers and the City of Portland over a new lease for the Moda Center remain stalled, with a pivotal City Council vote set for Aug. 12.
The two sides are attempting to finalize a 20-year agreement tied to a major renovation of the 31-year-old arena. New Blazers owner Tom Dundon has said he will sign a lease if the public commits almost $575 million toward the project. The State of Oregon has already approved $365 million, but the remaining $208 million must come from the city and Multnomah County.
The City Council controls $120 million of that local contribution and is seeking more detailed plans on how the franchise would spend the funds. According to a team source, the term sheet circulated by the city is considered a “nonstarter.”
Attendance Dispute Ahead of Work Session
City Council President Jamie Dunphy said Blazers executives had “verbally indicated” they would not join a council work session scheduled for Thursday. Team president Dewayne Hankins offered a different account, stating the organization was “figuring out the best way to move forward and show up on Thursday.”
Public Negotiations Questioned
Dunphy has accused the club of withholding information and suggested the franchise might be positioning itself to relocate if talks break down. Hankins rejected negotiating in public, saying he wants to “turn the rhetoric down” and finalize an agreement.
The council vote on Aug. 12 will determine whether the city releases its share of the arena funding, a decision that could shape the franchise’s long-term future in Portland.
Source: Hoops Wire
